Athletic director Bill Battle said Monday that it was a mutual decision after several weeks of discussions with Hudson. The Crimson Tide went 68-87 and 14-64 in Southeastern Conference games during Hudson's five seasons.

He had been spent the previous five years as Alabama's associate athletic director for alumni relations.

Hudson was Alabama's first black scholarship athlete. He played forward under coach C.M. Newton from 1970-73 and was SEC player of the year as a senior.

Alabama says a national search for his replacement will begin immediately.